The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-11

OUR NAVY,
Matters Held to be of Vital Import
ance to Its Efficiency.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-Commodore'
Schley of the bureau of equipment and re-
cruitins has submitted his annual report to
the secretary of the navy. During the year
an expenditure of $70,677 was made to refit
vessels and supply them with stores at the
various yards, and $357, ,137 for material.
The appropriation for the year was found to
be more than sufficient, and the unexpended
balance was covered in the treasury. Com
modore Schley reports the transfer of the
several shops under the control of the bu-
reau at the Washington Navy Yard to the
Boston Yard. and the purchase of testing
machine for the latter yard, that at the
Washington Yard having been found useless,
except as old iron. 1t is intended to manu-
facture all anchors, chains, rigging, cordage,
etc., at the Boston Yard, leaving the minor
work only to yards where ships may be
put out as well as the manufacture of such
small things as tarpaulins, wheel covers, etc.
This Capitalization of the bureau business
will make it more economical to administer.
Attention is called to the absolute necessity
of two modern steel cruising ships to take
the place of the three training ships now In
use--the Portsmouth, jamestown and Sara
toga. The chief recommends that an addi-
tional 700 men be asked for special service
in the Naval Academy, coast survey and fish
commission, as to the force of men which
at present must be detailed for this service
frequently cramps the bureau in fitting out
additional vessels.
Legislation is recommended which will
allow honorably discharged men to select
home on any of the serving ships during the
three months within which under the law
they may re-enlist, on the ground that such
legislation would save many valuable men to
the navy and would give them relief from
the uncleanly and miserable boarding mouse
of the large cities.
A retired list is suggested for enlisted men
who have served in the navy 30 years so as
to put them on the same plan as the Soldier
and Marine Corps; anda recommendation is
made that citizenship be conferred on aliens
who have served in the navy and are honor
ably discharged. Attention is called to the
fact that no oath of allegiance 10 required OF
naval recruits, and change in this regard
is suggested.
In conclusion Commodore Schley says: 81
would recommend that from those appren-
tices who have served faithfully and effi-
ciently until q years Of age, and who shall
Te-enlist for three years and shall have
passed with credit and distinction through
the advanced course of instruction and shall
be proficient in seama1ship, navigation and
gunnery, two of the most distinguished in
their studies and moral qualifications be ex-
amined yearly for admission to the grade Of
tuslSu III tlo llno VI PlOhiosioh' ~ hCVuo ~
argument to prove that measure of this
kind would tend greatly to improve the
morale of the enlisted men; but outside and
beyond this it would be but an act of duty
and justice to class in the service who have
contributed so largely in the past to our vic
tories in war. These matters are held to be of
vital Importance to the efficiency OF the SER
vice to the contentment and welfare of the
men, and if adopted will be the means by
which desertion will be largely checked and
the morale of the service much increased.
The bureau feels certain that it will only
be necessary to call the attention OF Con-
gress to these matters TO secure for the sailor
the same benefits as has been awarded to his
companion in arms of the Army and Marine
Corps.